May I (Lie To Me) | ✔

Body Language

"Gillian." Angelica stopped filing some papers in the cabinet as she approached the pediatric desk. "I heard what happened. How are you doing?"

"I'm tired, but good. I thought I would check up on Sophie before I left."

"Sure. Just left me file this one thing—and will come and I fill you in on everything that has happened. "She dropped the paper in, and locked the cabinet. She walked around the desk; let the other nurse know where she was going, and they began walking down the hall. When they reached the room, she had a rather large smile on her face.

Another nurse who was sitting in the room nodded her greetings, before getting up and leaving. Angelica walked over to the crib and picked Sophie up. "You gave your mother quite a scare, little one."

Sophie gave her a curious stare, and then pointed at Gillian. "Mama?"

"That's your mommy, alright." Angelica gestured over to the chair. "Why don't you go sit in that chair and I'll bring her to you."

Wearily, Gillian turned and sat in the chair. She let her eyes close, while listening to the interaction between Sophie and Angelica across the room. There were a few rustling noises, and then Sophie's voice. "Mama, wake?"

"...why don't you give this to her." Angelica whispered, handing something to Sophie.

Slapping her knee, Sophie smiled up at Gillian as she opened her eyes. In her hand, she was grasping a red sucker that said "congrats".

Angelica explained, digging around in the drawer. "They're just some of our extra suckers that we carry here on the Pediatric floor."

"Suceer?" Sophie repeated, flinging it into her lap; pouting out her bottom lip. "Can I have?"

Laughing, Angelica chimed in. "It looks like you're in for some trouble with this one." At that, there was a knock on the door; Corbin peered in.

"Are we interrupting?"

Gillian shook her head, and the door opened further. "No, come in."

"Gillian, I would like you to meet Ashley Petelson: Sophie's social worker."

Ashley stepped in; her brown eyes suddenly lighting up with her smile. "It's nice to finally put a face to a name." She held out her hand; her white watch peeking out under her red laced shirt. "Ava named you the sole guardian over her only daughter: Sophie Cassidy Keller. Is that information correct?"

"Yes." Sophie and Gillian shared a mutual look of curiosity. "What's this about?"

"I have some papers that you might want to look over, if you agree to be her guardian." Reaching into the file, she handed the papers to her. Gillian sat there for a moment, letting the words sink in. She looked up a few seconds later, and Ashley gave her a reassuring smile, and a subtle nod to let her know that what Gillian was thinking was correct.

Taking the papers, Gillian felt a prick of tears welling up in her eyes. She looked over every word, then at Sophie, whose life was going to change forever when she signed that paper. And yet at the same time, it quelled all of Gillian's fears of losing her forever.

Finally.

Corbin clicked his pen and handed it over; his steely blue eyes were glistening as she gave him an appreciative glance. She signed slowly, in order to keep her hand from shaking too much—before handing back the paperwork and pen to their rightful owners.

Then he did something unexpected . . . blowing into a party favor that he had pulled out of his pocket, as Ashley filed away the papers. Sophie laughed loudly—not understanding the full meaning of this moment—which made everyone else laugh too.